Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25622, James Gilchrist, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Gilchrist, James Elizabeth
W. 25622 B.I.W. 91125-160.55
CONTENTS
(see B.I.W. 838-200-Lieut in connection with this)

6,702
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Elizabeth Gilchrist widow of James Gilchrist Pew
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Lieutenant.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of $20 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 12 th day of Oct. 1859. and sent to
H. Longwell Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 257 Vol. 1

303-721 Act Mar 3/55
Oct 29/59
Elizabeth Dec 22 Gilchrist wid. of James Gilchrist Lieut
Revolutionary war D: 1601 A.D. Dec. 21/59
Sheel B. [Signature]
$3-6702
W. Longwill Esq Gettysburg Pa.
Expt Butts
Vol 6 page 65

State of Pennsylvania County of Westmoreland } ss.
On this 1 st day of February, A. D. 1859, personally appeared before the Hon. S. L. Carpenter, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, Elizabeth Gilchrist, aged about 75 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 29 th of July, 1848, that she is the widow of James Gilchrist, who was a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution, as she has heard him frequently say, and also heard others speak of her said husband's Revolutionary services, - that she cannot recollect the names of the officers under whom he served, but that he was in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, to the best of her recollection, from what she has heard him and others say. That he also belonged to the Cincinnati Society. That she does not recollect of his ever drawing anything from that Society. - that he was a man in pretty good circumstances and never needed the aid of the Society. That her said husband had a very good team and followed wagging before they were married. - That before they were married he lived in York County, near Adams Co. Pa. That this deponent's maiden name was Snyder, a daughter of Nicholas Snyder of Chambersburg, Pa. and that she was married in Chambersburg, April 5. 1803. and that about the year 1810, or about the time the Tunkle was a making through this place, they moved to this county, and her said husband James Gilchrist, purchased the farm on which she still resides. In June 1817, her husband was wagging, and was killed, as they believed at that time, by the wagon running over him, but afterwards they discovered, by the confession of an Irishman, who had killed a man away

down the river, at or near Cincinnati; that he, said Irishman, had confessed that he had knocked him off the horse with a billet of wood, and had taken all his money but of $5. that he left in his pocket. He then dragged him in front of the wagon and drove the wagon wheel over his head, according to his own confession. That this deponent believes her husband was about 60 years of age at the time he was killed, - that she has no record of his age. That she knows of no person now living by whom she could prove the Revolutionary services of her husband, unless it might be by some old people now living in Adams County, formerly York Co. - That his place of residence before he was married was Detmold, or thereabout, Northwest of Gettysburg, not far from the Chambersburg pike. That the marriage Record is in the handwriting of her husband James Gilchrist. That this deponent never knew that there was an Act of Congress under which she could claim a pension for the services of her husband, until her sister Mary Richardson, had obtained something, and she therefore asks for any thing that may be legally due her for the services of her husband Lieutenant James Gilchrist. She does not recollect of him stating to her What period of the war he entered the service, but that he served to the end of the war, as she had understood by him. That she was not married to him prior to the 2 d of January 1800, but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow -
Test
J. L. Carpenter
her
Elizabeth X Gilchrist mark
Sworn and subscribed before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Westmore and County Pa. And I do hereby certify that from old age and bodily infirmity the above applicant is unable to appear in open Court and it does appear to me from my personal knowledge of the above named applicant

and the Gilchrist family that the statements she has made in her application are just and true as to the services of her said husband Lieutenant James Gilchrist. Witness my hand and seal this first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine
J. L. Carpenter one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County
I do hereby certify that the paper marked number two containing the family record of Lieutenant James Gilchrist deceased was cut out of a Book in the possession of the claimant Elizabeth Gilchrist as Witness my hand this 1 st day of February AD 1859
J. L. Carpenter Judge
James Gilchrist and
Elizabeth Snider was
married on April the fifth eighteen hundred and three
James Gilchrist was born July the 23 rd 1804
Catherine Maria Gilchrist was born October the 9 th 1807
Thomas Gilchrist was
born June the 17 th 1808
John Gilchrist was born
October the 15 th 1812
I am well acquainted with Mrs Gilchrist as a member of the Presbyterian Church & that I fully believe her worthy of undoubted veracity & that her state- ment is worthy of full credit
Joseph Smith, pastor of Grens Pres. Church.
The above named Joseph Smith is now the pastor of the Presbyterian Church and County February 1 st 1859
J. L. Carpenter Judge

and our governors cannot be charged with the consequences which the people bring upon themselves:
That as this is a case without example, it will probably be without consequences, and many ages will elapse before such a crime is again committed by such a man:
That though life be spared, justice may be satisfied with fin, imprisonment, exile, infamy, and penury.
FINIS.

and the Gilchrist family that the statements she has made in her application are just and true as to the services of her said husband Lieutenant James Gilchrist - Witness my hand and seal this first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine
J. L. Carpenter one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County Seal
I do hereby certify that the paper marked number two containing the family record of Lieutenant James Gilchrist deceased was cut out of a Book in the possession of the claimant Elizabeth Gilchrist as Witness my hand this 1 st day of February AD 1859
J. L. Carpenter Judge
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Elizabeth Gilchrist that she is a member of the Presbyterian congregation of Greensburgh & that I fully believe her worthy of entire confidence as of undoubted veracity & that her statement in the foregoing paper is worthy of full credit
Feb, 1 st 1859.
Joseph Smith, pastor of Greens Pres. Church.
I do hereby certify that the above named Joseph Smith is now and has been for some time past the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Greensburgh Westmoreland County February 1 st 1859
J. L. Carpenter Judge

Declaration of Mrs Elizabeth Gilchrist
Wid, - James -
Original
N o 838 - 200 acres issued Sept. 16. 1789 to Robert Gilchrist her own legal representative line of James Gilchrist deceased.
Commutation Ward in 1784 & since

State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, SS.
I, Bales McVey Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that S. S. Carpenter before whom the foregoing Affidavit was made
and whose name, in his own proper handwriting, is to the foregoing cer- tificate appended, was then and now is an acting Associate Judge in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit are of right due.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Greensburg, the First day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- nine
Bales McVey Prothonotary.

State of Pennsylvania County of Westmoreland } S. S.
On this twenty-fourth day of October AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, person- ally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Gilchrist aged about seventy six years a resident of Westmoreland County in the State of Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the widow of James Gilchrist deceased, who was a Lieutenant in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary war and who served therein as is described in her application on file in the Pension Office at Washington and dated February 1. 1859, said service being the Pennsylvania Line!
She further states that she was married to the said James Gilchrist April 5. 1803, that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Doyan and that her said husband died in 1817 as will more fully appear by reference to her aforesaid application and the testimony accompanying the same, and that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining any bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3. 1855, she has not heretofore obtained any bounty land nor made any applica- -tion therefor.
Sworn and subscribed before me the date first above written
Caleb A. Stick, J.P. Witness: Isaac Brown Henry Laufer
Elizabeth her Gilchrist mark

We Isaac Bear and Henry Lauffer residents of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Elizabeth Gilchrist in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, that she is now a widow and that we are disinterested witnesses.
Isaac Bear Henry Lauffer
Sworn and subscribed before me this Twenty-first day of October 1859 and I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with said Elizabeth Gilchrist and the above named witnesses; that they are all credible and reputable persons and that I believe the said Elizabeth is the person she represents herself to be
Caleb R. Heck, J.P. Esq.
State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, SS.
I, Bales McCollough Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that Caleb A. Heck before whom the foregoing Affidavit was made
and whose name, in his own proper handwriting, is to the foregoing certificate appended, was then and now is an acting Justice of
The Peace in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit are of right due.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Greensburg, the Twenty-first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine
Bales McCollough Prothonotary.

Rev. & 1812 War Section
May 21, 1924
Mrs. Howard Bortz 427 N. Walnut Ave. Greensburg, Pa.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.25622 , it appears that James Gilohrist served as Lieutenant in the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment and retired January 1, 1783. The date of appointment is not stated.
While living three miles from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he married April 5, 1803, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicolas Snyder or Snider of said place. He died in June 1817, aged about 60 years.
She was allowed pension on her application executed February 1, 1859, while residing in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, aged 75 years.
They had the following children:
James born July 23, 1804. Catharine Maria " October 9, 1807. Thomas " June 17, 1810. John " October 15, 1812.
Respectfully,
Commissioner

1924 May 21. Hist. to Mrs. Howard Boetz, Mc
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25.622 Elizabeth Gilchrist Widow of James Gilchrist Lieut. Rev. War.
Date: Febr 31 1853
---Vol. A , Page 2. 74
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o : 7.201
Elizabeth Gilchrist James Pennsylvania
Mar. Wm Sigler — Mar. 14, '59
Pop. u d by H. Longwell Apr. 30. "
Set. to H. Longwell — June 8. "
Pop. d th to Hon. Nelson Reilly, June 23, 1859
Set. to same July 8. "
Act Feb. 3. 1853

v. B 91, 125
160 Horses

Power of Attorney "
time I elect

February 1 st
Swart
January 1859
I do hereby constitute and appoint Bob H Longwill of Adams County Pa, My lawful Attorney, for me and in My Name, to prosecute My claim before the Commissioner of Pensions, or before any other department of the United States Government, for any monies, or bounty land, that is now due, or that may become due hereafter for the revolutionary services of My husband James Gilchrist Witness my hand and seal this 1 st day of February
1859 above said — — — Test S L Carpenter
Elizabeth X Gilchrist her mark
Seal

District No. 8. Donation Lands, 200 nd sale, No. 1567 Lt. James Gilchrist 13 th Aug., 1787.
Fees 50 cts, paid

No. 1568.
In pursuance of an Act of General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania passed the 24 th Day of February 1785 entitled "An Act for directing the mode of distributing the Donation Lands promised the Troops of this Commonwealth" And by Order of the Surveyor General with the Approbation of the Honorable the Supreme Executive Council, I have Surveyed on the 13 th Day of October 1785, the above described Tract of two hundred acres of land, & Allowance of Six per Cent, for Roads &c. No 1567. Situate in District No 8 - on the West Side of the Allegany River, in the County of Westmoreland -
Alexander M c Lowell D.S.
To John Lukens Esq Surveyor General,
In testimony that the above is a true copy of the Original remaining on file in the Office of the Surveyor General of Penn a I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Office at Harrisburg the 14 th Day of April 1829,
For John Rowe S.G. Thos. J. Rehrer

Copy of A Certificate of A Book of

Ledger A. Officer
Dr. Estate of James Gilchrist Esqr.
   £ s d     1779   Decemb r 14 To 1 Hall 95/3 Shirts 105/3 Stockts. 22/9. 1 P ce Silk & 1 p ce worsted Stockts. 57/6 13 0 3   " 17 3/4 d z Blue Cloth 97/6. 1 1/2 Yd s White do 90/6. 5 1/2 Nails Scarlet do 18/9 16 6 3   " 3 Yds Net 22/6. 3 Yd s fine Smm d 15/6. 7 1/4 p ce Coars do 2/7 2 " 1   " 4 doz Coat & 3 doz Vest Buttons 3 Stream Gilt 1 1/2 d z Silk 1 p ce doz Thread " 18 9   1779 To his share of the Lottery Clothing 1 15 10   To 1 p ce Shoes 15   28 16 2   To Bal ce due Ensign Gilchrist 84 8 10   113 5 3  
Widow says her husband was not the Ensign

No 34. Certificate for £62. 7. 10. Specie. _____
We do certify that the State of Pennsylvania is Indebted to James Gilchrist, Ensign, of the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment in the sum of fifty two Pounds, Seven Shillings and ten Pence Specie being the amount of the Depreciation of his pay from January 1 st 1777 to August 1 st 1780. Pursuant to an act of Assembly passed at Philadelphia the 18 th of December
1780 Reading March 27. 1781.
Jas. Stevenson A.G. Henry Christ A. Henry Waller A.
Cloathing Book.
By allowance of Cloathing per act March 1 st 1780. from Jan y 1 st 1780 to Jan y 1 st 1783. 3 years at £37. 15. p. Ann 113. 5. 0
Certificate drawn.
Pennsylvania ss. Harrisburg April 14 th 1859.
I do certify the above & foregoing to be a true copy of the Certificate above recited. And a true copy of the account above stated as it is in Official Cloathing Book Ledger A. page 84. all of which remain in this Department the day of the date of this Official Certificate. Witness my hand and the Official Seal of the office aforesaid
Jacob Fry, Q.M. Quartermaster General

Pay Roll Book A.
James Gilchrist
Extract

Retiring Officers, Commutation.
We and each of us, whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have Received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Ercurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania line, the several sums opposite to our names Respectively in Certificates dated July 1. 1784, bearing interest at six per cent from March the twenty second 1783. Signed by John Pierce, Commissioner, and described as below, Being for the balance of a settlement between the United States, and us, for Commutation of Five Years full pay, in Lieu of half pay for life.
   Date of Issue No of Certificates Letter Names. Sums Signers.   Dollars cents     Nov 13th 1784 76.574 P William Van Lear 600 " William Van Lear   Aug n 17th " " 97 A George North 194 600 Caleb North.   " 28th " 99 C James Gilchrist " 700 James Gilchrist   " 28th " 76.600 H James Gilchrist " 719 60 James Gilchrist.   Oct r 18th " " " 1 I Alexander Stewart 628 600 J Fabbok.  
Pennsylvania S.S.
Auditor General's Office Harrisburg April 14 th 1859.
I certify the foregoing to be of true copy, and abstract from the payroll Book A. Page 155, remaining in this Department the day and year last above Mentioned
Jacob Fry Auditor General

A List of the Officers of the Pennsylvania Line who retired from the Service of the United States agreeably to the Acts of Congress
   Names Rank Dates of Retiring     Peter Smith Lieutenant 5 Jany. 1783   John Wasper Do Do Do Do   James Gilchrist Do Do Do Do   Abel Stuart Do Do Do Do  
Secretarys Office Pennsylvania  I do hereby certify that the above is true and correct extract from an original paper as the same remains in file in this office
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and caused the Seal of the Secretarys Office to be hereunto affixed at Harrisburg this Thirteenth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine
Wm. L. Woffenbach
Depy. Secy of the Comm.

No. 34 Certificate, for $ 62. 7. 10. Specie
We do Certify, that the State of Pennsylvania is indebted to James Gilchrist Ensign of the fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, in the sum of Sixty two pounds seven shillings and two pence Specie; being the amount of the Depreciation of his pay, from January 1. 1777 to August 1. 1780. Pursuant to an Act of Assembly, passed at Philadelphia the 18 th of December 1780.
Reading March 27. 1781
W. Stevenson A. G. Henry Christ Lt. Henry Haller A.
Auditor General's Office Harrisburg Sep. 9. 1859.
I certify the above to be a true copy of the original remaining on file in this Department. Witness my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.
Wm L Wallace for Jacob Fry Jr Aud. Genl.
12 ) 240 38 (20.1 24 13
30 ) 2000 15 6 132
26.67 3/4 - ) 117.00 (4.15 106.68 10.32
20 ) 117.00 (5.85 100 17.00 16.00 1.00
Widow says her husband was not the Surgeon

Franklin County State of Pennsylvania } SS
On this 31 st day of May A D 1859 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County James Herr who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Lieutenant James Gilchrist who was a brother-in-law of William Richardson, they were married to two Sisters of the name of Snyder daughters of Nicolas Snyder of Chambersburg Pa. The above named James Gilchrist was married about three or four years before this Deponent was married, this Deponent was married in 1807 James Gilchrist had been a resident of Adams County Pa before he was married, that in the year 1810 or 1812 he removed to Westmoreland County Pa and that in some five or six years afterwards this Deponent heard of him being killed by a waggon running over him near Pittsburgh Pa. That the above named James Gilchrist continued following wagging until his death as aforesaid, that this Deponent had often waggoned in company with the above named James Gilchrist and William Richardson, and had often heard them conversing about the Revolutionary war, that this Deponent's father John Herr was also a Lieutenant in the revolutionary war and was taken prisoner at a place called the "Crooked Billet" near Philadelphia that he was three years a prisoner, that he was released in 1781 that this Deponent recollects of his said father coming home, from the circumstance of this Deponent, having always slept with his mother and of his unwillingness

to let his father come to bed to them on his return home. That this Deponent's father and the above named James Gilchrist and William Richardson had often conversed together about the revolutionary war, and of their services in said war, in his presence. That the above named James Gilchrist was an old bachelor when he was married to Elizabeth Smyth, she being quite young at the time. That the above named James Gilchrist, never was married before and never had a son named Robert.
James Kerr
Sworn and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, day and year above written.
And I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent James Kerr and know him to be a man of truth and veracity and worthy of all credit.
Witness my hand & seal this 21 st day of May A.D. 1859
Philip H. Cannon Seal

Pennsylvania Franklin County, S d .
I Miram C. Hays, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Philip H. Hays Esq. whose genuine signature is subscribed to the foregoing Affidavit & certificate was at the date thereof & still is a Justice of the peace duly commissioned & authorized by law to administer Oaths &c and that full credit is due to all his official acts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Chambersburg the 21 st day of May A D 1859
Miram C. Hays Pro th

State of Pennsylvania } Adams County } ss
On this second day of March A D 1859 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid Thomas Craig aged about 89 years who being duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he has been a resident of Adams County (formerly York Co) all his lifetime that he was raised by Adam Livingston and worked for him till he was 30 years of age and at different other times afterwards - That Adam Livingstons house was about 2 miles from Gettysburg on the old Philadelphia road, that he recollects well of James Gilchrist, who lived about 3 or 3½ miles north west of Gettysburg that he James Gilchrist had the reputation of being a Lieutenant in the revolutionary war - That this Deponent has often heard a man the name of James Goudy who had been a substitute for the said Adam Livingston and an other man by the name of John Blair who had been a substitute for John Sample one of his neighbors talking of their revolutionary services, and speaking of the above named James Gilchrist as being a very valiant man and a good Officer - This Deponent also recollects of hearing the above named James Gilchrist speaking of his revolu- tionary services, in conversation with the above named Adam Livingston (with whom this Deponent lived), as they were very intimate and often together - That the above named James Gilchrist kept a good team of horses, and waggoned to Pittsburg - That sometime before the war of 1812 James Gilchrist left Adams County and removed to Westmoreland County near Greensburg - and Deponent afterward heard it said that he had been killed by a waggon running over him - That this Deponent has often been in the above named James Gilchrist's House, that he was a very clever, kind, upright man and Elizabeth Gilchrist

his wife was also a very kind clever woman - that they were both very kind to the poor and beloved by every person. This Deponent has often heard James Gilchrist telling persons of his revolutionary services - that he has often heard the revolutionary services of the said James Gilchrist spoken of by the neighbors, and never heard it doubted of in the neighborhood where he resided
Witnesses Geo Arnold H. Bigham
his Thomas Craig man
I sworn and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace on the day and year above written - and I do hereby certify that the above named Deponent Thomas Craig is a man of good character for truth and veracity, and known by me to be such
Geo Arnold J.P.
State of Pennsylvania } S.S. Adams County, }
I. Jacob Bushey Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, hereby certify that George Arnold Esq. whose genuine signature is affixed to the foregoing affidavit, is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, of Adams, duly elected commissioned & qualified as such, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as a Justice of the Peace.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Gettysburg in said County, this second day of March A.D. 1859.
Jacob Bushey Prothon.

State of Pennsylvania } County of Adams }
On this 14 th day of February
AD 1859 personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid James H Wilson aged about sixty two years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is a son of Joseph Wilson of Adams County, formerly York County, That he was well acquainted with James Gilchrist who resided about three and a half or four miles Northwest of Gettysburg Adams Co Pa, That he has often heard his father and the said James Gilchrist conversing together about the revolutionary war That they were very intimate, and very much together when this Deponent was a small boy, and on till the above named James Gilchrist left Adams County, and settled near Greensburg Westmoreland County Pa, and when he continued to reside till his death, this Deponent thinks it was about 1880 when he left this part of the Country. This Deponent has often heard the above named James Gilchrist spoken of in connection with the revolutionary war, as having served as a Lieutenant in said war and never heard it disputed in the neighborhood that he had been in the revolutionary war - This Deponents father, the said Joseph Wilson, has often said that he (Joseph Wilson) was as well entitled to a pension for his revolutionary services as Col Brown, who got one, but that this Deponents father was in pretty good circumstances, and never asked it - That the above named James Gilchrist was also in pretty good circumstances, and he believes never asked for a pension in his lifetime. That he (James Gilchrist) kept a good team of horses, and waggons to Pittsburg, and continued to do as long as he

lived, that he also recollects of hearing of James Gilchrist being killed by the waggon running over him, near Pittsburgh Pa. That he also heard of the confession of an Irish man who said that he had knocked him off his horse and drove the waggon over him and crushed his head. That he understands that the widow still lives at or near Greensburg Westmoreland Co. Pa. This Deponent has often heard his father and the said James Gilchrist in conversation upon the subject, speak of their services in the revolutionary war, but cannot recollect the particulars. This deponent also says that his father Joseph Wilson if now living would be about ninety seven years of age, and that James Gilchrist was older than his father. and further Deponent saith not. James H. Wilson
Sworn and subscribed before me a justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid, and I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent James H. Wilson, and know him to be a man of truth and veracity, and worthy of all credit. Sworn on the day and year above written. Geo. M. Moore J.P.
State of Pennsylvania) Adams County, } S.S.
J. Jacob Bushey Prothonotary of The Court of Common Pleas in and for the County, aforesaid, hereby certify that George Arnold Esq. whose genuine signature is affixed to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Adams, duly

elected, Commissioned & qualified as such, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as a Jus- tice of the Peace.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Gettysburg in said County aforesaid this first day of March A. D. 1859.
Jacob Bushey Prothon

State of Pennsylvania } Franklin County }
S.S.
On this 14 th day of June A D 1859 personally appeared be- fore the Subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid James H. Kern aged about 83 years, who being duly sworn according to law doth de- pose and say - That in addition to what he has already stated in a former deposition, that he knew Robert Gilchrist referred to in his former deposition - That he was the son of an old James Gilchrist, who was reported to be an Ensign in the revolutionary war, who died about the close of the revolutionary war. This Deponent was very young at that time, but recollects well of seeing old James Gilchrist the father of Robert Gilchrist, that he had always understood

from said Robert Gilchrist that his father was an ensign in the revolutionary war - and that his said father James Gilchrist had died about the close of the revolutionary war and that the above named Robert Gilchrist had drawn land for the revolutionary services of his said father Ensign James Gilchrist, as this Deponent has understood from him, but does not recollect how much. Deponent further says that the James Gilchrist of whom he speaks in this deposition is not the James Gilchrist Lieutenant, of whom he speaks in his former deposition but a different man.
James Rorr
Sworn and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, day and year above written, and I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above

disponent and know him to be a man of truth and veracity
Philip Hamman Justice of the Peace.
Pennington
Franklin County S.C.
I H. C. Haynes Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas do hereby certify that Philip Hamman Esq before whom the foregoing proceedings
were had was at the date thereof & still is a Justice of the Peace duly commis- sioned & authorized by law to administer Oaths & to bind the above signature for purporting to be this is genuine & that full credit is due to all his official acts
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Cheraw by 14 th June 1857 H C Haynes Pro.

303.721

Gettysburg Oct 25 th 1859
Hon G. C. Whiting P Do Sir
Enclosed is the application of Mrs Elizabeth Gilchrist widow of Lieutenant James Gilchrist of the Pennsylvania Line in the Revolutionary War, for Bounty Land - Please to give it as early attention as will suit your convenience and let me hear from you
Very respectfully yours
H. Longwell agent for the widows

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Gilchrist, widow of James — Westmoreland County and State of Pennsylvania act February 3. 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
James Gilchrist, is shown by the records of this Office to have served more than two years as Lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment Pennsylvania Continental Line in the revolutionary war. He is proved by the testimony of several credible witnesses to have been the husband of Claimant, and to have died in 1817.
(If for increase.) proved Marriage, in 1803, by proved  proved private records
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
and present withdrawal by part 6.
Allowance accordingly — upon consultation with Commissioner.
H. Longwell, Esq.
Name and residence of Agent
(of Gettysburg, Pa)
Present
R. Geddes Examining Clerk.

Pension Office, June 8, 1839.
Sir,
I have carefully examined the additional evidence filed by you in support of the claim of Elizabeth Gilchrist for pension under act of Feby. 3, 1833, and have to state that it does not remove the objections to its admission of which you have been fully informed. All the record evidence evidently refers to the same officer, and this Officer was not the husband of the claimant.
Very respectfully, &c. John Root for Commissioner.
H. Longwell Esq., Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penna

Sir,
The papers exhibited to me in relation to the application of Elizabeth Gilchrist for a pension under the act of February 3 d 1853. establish very clearly,
1 st
That there was a Lieutenant by the name of James Gilchrist who served in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line to the close of the war.
2 a That the present claimant is the widow of one James Gilchrist who was reputed to have served as a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania line and who died in the

year 1817.
Ordinarily this would be ample proof, according to the legal rules of evidence, to establish the applicant's claim.
But it appears from the records of the Pension Office that in the year 1789 one Robert Gilchrist claiming as the heir of Lieutenant James Gilchrist , obtained a warrant for the land due James Gilchrist; and it is thence inferred that the claimant's husband could not have been the person who served in the 5 th Regiment as Lieutenant, but that such person must have died before 1790.
This inference of the Pension

office is undoubtedly correct if no explanation could be given nor proof to show that the husband of the Petitioner was the person who served in the war.
That proof has been made by the testimony of James Carr, a witness whose credit is established by the certificate of Judge Chambers; and he in his turn is vouched for by the President of the United States.
From that evidence it appears that two persons named James Gilchrist served in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, one as Ensign, the other as Lieutenant. This fact is further
Mary Richardson's Case

corroborated beyond all dispute by the Certificate No 34 of Jas Stevenson and others as to the indebtedness of Ensign Gilchrist . Mr Carr further states, that he knew both the Ensign and the Lieutenant - that the Ensign James Gilchrist died about the close of the war, leaving a son whose name was Robert - and the Lieutenant Gilchrist had no son of that name . That Lieuten- ant Gilchrist did not die until  1817 and that the claimant is his widow.
Now the whole case turns upon the credit due to Carr.
It is a well established

Rule of evidence, recognized in courts every where, and in every department of the government, that a fact stated by a credible witness uncontradicted by any other fact or witness is to be taken as true .
Mr Van is uncontradicted - he is unimpeached - his truth is vouched for by a late Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and his credit approved by the President. The credibility of the witness has thus the highest sanction that can be given to human testimony. And having such sanction any department of the government would shrink from withholding the just weight

(6) due to such evidence.
The last communication of the Commissioner of Pensions refers to a failure to furnish proof from the records of the Cincinnati Society.
The reference was a very proper and prudent one, and a neglect to seek for proof according to that reference might afford a just suspicion against the claimants case. But it appears from the letter of the Secretary of the Cincinnati Society, that enquiry has been made according to the reference, and the Society's records fail to show any thing further, than a corroboration of the claimants statement that

7 Lieutenant James Gilchrist was a member of that body.
Another item of documentary proof ought not to be overlooked, for it bears with great weight upon the objection urged by the Pension office. I refer to the certificate from the Land office in Pennsylvania. This shows that James Gilchrist as Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania line drew two donation tracts of land on the 13 th of August 1787. This proves that some years after the death of the James Gilchrist who was an Ensign and who had a son named Robert as moved by law, another person who was a Lieutenant in the line, was still

in full life and being.
There is no room for supposing that the "Ensign James Gilchrist" referred to in certificate No 34 signed by Stevenson and others, is the same person as the Lieutenant Gilchrist referred to in the Land Office Certificate without rejecting altogether the testimony of Can. For Can swears that there were two different persons serving in the Pennsylvania line named James Gilchrist. That one of them was an Ensign, the other a Lieutenant - that the Ensign had a son named Robert, the Lieutenant had not - that the Ensign died near the close of the war, but the Lieutenant did not

die in 1817. Add to this the proof furnished by the charge made in the Auditor General's Office in Harrisburg against " the estate of James Gilchrist Esquire " as of the date of January 1 st 1783, and the proof establishing the existence of two persons of the same name, one an Esquire, the other a Lieutenant, would seem to be irresistible. The Secretary of the States Office in Pennsylvania affords also official record proof that the Lieutenant Gilchrist was living after the death of the Esquire Gilchrist. This proof is found in the retiring  returning certificate of Lieutenant James Gilchrist, from which it appears

that on the 1st of January 1783, James Gilchrist Lieutenant retired from the service, & obtained his commutation in 1784, About a year  later after the date of the charge against the "estate of James Gilchrist Ensign," in the Auditor's Office.
The case then stands thus - 1st An inference is raised against the claimant by an entry showing that one Robert Gilchrist as heir of James Lieutenant Gilchrist had drawn land in 1789 from whence it is inferred that the James Gilchrist who served in the 5th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line was dead

11 at that date and hence that he could not be the person who married the claimant in 1803.
To meet this inference the claim- ant has proved
1 st By Genl. that there were two persons named James Gil- christ, both known to him and serving in the Pennsylvania line, having different ranks.
2 d That one was an Ensign, the other a Lieutenant.
3 a That the Ensign died near the close of the war and had a son named Robert.
4 th That the Lieutenant did not die until 1817, and that the claimant is his widow, and

that he had no son named Robert. The foregoing proof is corroborated. 1 st By the established character of the witness for truth—
2 d By the corroborating facts of record viz—
1 st That two different persons are designated in the official records of Pennsylvania by official en- tries of the same date designating one as a Lieutenant, the other as an Ensign.
2 d That "the estate" of the En- sign is charged on the 1 st of January 1783, thus indicating that he was then dead.
3 d That the Lieutenant is shown to have been a living man on the same date.
It is charged up at that time , but it is not shown when it was so charged up.

and four years afterwards is shown to have been alive by the grant of donation land to him. Against this proof nothing appears. Having regard therefore to the well established rules of evidence, and the discriminating judgment that characterises the proceedings in relation to pensions, it seems to me that a consideration of the evidence taken together, can not fail to impress the Commissioner with the validity of the claim presented by Elizabeth Gilchrist. especially when it is brought to his notice that his reference to the Cincinnati

Society has been followed, and that nothing in conflict with the claimants case appears. A failure to observe that reference would have been good reason for suspending the claim, but since it has been made, the testimony establishes a valid claim in the widow of Lieutenant Gilchrist.
At this late date and in view of the loss of the records of the Pension office it would be impossible and the law does not require the claimant to explain any further, the entry in respect to Robert Gilchrist. Whether that entry is a mistake or a

hand or related to some other Gilchrist can not now be known.
The claimant has exhibited clear and credible proof of her case and that her husband was Lieutenant Gilchrist of the 5 th Regiment—that Robert Gilchrist was not his son—and that her husband did not die until 1817, and that there were two persons of the same name. She has shown a state of facts that would account for every thing she can be required to explain.
There is nothing to impeach her right if the testimony of Mr Carr be not rejected; and no legal rule principle or

Official rule can sanction its re- jection.
Yours &c.
Edwin M Stanton Washington 10. Oct 1859
H Longwell Esq }

N o 7. 201.
Elizabeth Gilchrist
James Pennsylvania-act of 1853

Mrs Elizabeth Gilchrist of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has applied at the Pension Office at Washington, for the benefits of the act of Congress of July 29 th 1828, granting full pay to the widows of officers of the Revolutionary War.
The Applicant having been married to the person for whose services she claims the benefits of said act, after the first of January 1800, it may be a question , under the construction put upon said act by the Pension department, whether she is entitled to receive under the act of 1828, or only under the act of 1853. This question, however, can only arise after it has been decided that she is entitled to receive under any act of Congress, and need not now be argued. Her papers having been prepared by a gentleman who is not a lawyer, if there be a mistake in this respect, it ought not, and of course will not, prejudice her claim under the act of 1853, if she has shown herself entitled to receive under said act.
By records at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a copy of which is filed with the application of Mrs Gilchrist, as also by the Army rolls in the proper department at Washington City, it appears that there was a James Gilchrist, who served in the revolutionary War as a Lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line of the Army.
The records show that there was but one of that name who thus served as Lieutenant , and this Applicant claims to be his widow.

It is alleged by the Officer whose duty it is to decide upon applications of this kind, that Mrs. Gilchrist is mistaken in supposing herself to be the widow of the Lieutenant James Gilchrist, whose name appears on the record at Harrisburg and the Army rolls at Washington, and to sustain this allegation a record is produced showing that a certain Robert Gilchrist, representing himself to be the son of the said James Gilchrist, applied for and received a warrant for 200 acres of land from the United States in 1789, for the services rendered by his father in the revolutionary War.
It is admitted that this is some evidence that Lieutenant James Gilchrist, was dead before the year 1789, and if he was, this Applicant is not his widow, because she was married to the James Gilchrist, for whose services she claims, about the year 1803. But it is denied that this isolated piece of evidence, for it is the only evidence that can be produced to sustain the allegation, is by any means conclusive of the fact alleged.
As the application of Robert Gilchrist, together with any other papers which may have been therewith filed, have long since been lost or destroyed, it is impossible, at this late day, to show by the records at least that he knowingly made false representations in his application, nor is it necessary so to allege; but we do say that he received

Such land on statements, which the records and other evidence adduced in this case, show to have been incorrect, though, perhaps, innocently made.
To sustain this position we have the facts following proved by record and other evidence.
1 st In the application of Mrs. Gilchrist, she states, under oath, that she is the widow of James Gilchrist, also known as a Lieutenant who served in the revolutionary war, as a lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line of the Army.
It may be said that the material part of this statement may have been made by her from information received from others before she made it. But is there any evidence of this? If not, no presumption of the kind can arise, for a presumption must arise out of some established fact, or it is worthless.
Beside, the rule of law, as well as justice, requires that, all testimony, given under oath, must be taken to be true, unless the reputation for truth and veracity of the person giving it, is shown to be so bad, as to render the testimony worthless, or the testimony itself is shown, by other evidence, to be untrue.

But we have not chosen to rely on the rule of law alone in this case. We produce the Certificates of two highly respectable gentlemen, one a Judge, and the other a Minister of the Gospel, to whom Mrs. Gilchrist is well known, in which it is stated that what is sworn to by Mrs. Gilchrist is entitled to full credit. The character and standing of these two gentlemen are endorsed by the Hon William B. Inglis, who says he knows them well.
If upon this evidence the sworn statements made by Mrs. Gilchrist are not to be held as truthful, the rule of law before stated must be either be reversed or held as not applying to testimony in such a case as this, neither of which positions will be assumed, or entertained for a moment: for there is no law excepting such testimony from the operation of the rule.
If then Mrs. Gilchrist, has sworn that her husband did serve in the war of the revolution as lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line  line and if there is no evidence to show her unworthy of credit, or to impeach her testimony, and if no legitimate presumption can arise, without evidence to sustain it, that she has sworn only to what others told her were facts, and if the records at Harrisburg and at Washington, when produced, show that there was a James Gilchrist who served in said war in the said 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, it is conclusive

that her sworn statements are true.
But we do not stop here in our evidence to sustain the statements made by Mrs. Gilchrist. We produce the testimony of three respectable gentlemen, whose names are whose reputation for truth and veracity has not, and cannot be impeached, who sustain her in almost every particular statement she makes.
1 st James Melvin, testifies that he is a resident of Adams County Pennsylvania, that he is about 62 years of age, that he was well acquainted with James Gilchrist, who formerly resided in said County of Adams, that he frequently his father (who was a soldier in the revolutionary war) and the said Gilchrist conversing about said war, and their services in the same, that he frequently heard it said that said Gilchrist served as a lieutenant in said war, and never heard the fact disputed, that said Gilchrist removed from said County of Adams to Westmoreland County Penn o about the year 1810, when, as deponent was informed he was killed, that deponent's father, if now living would be about 97 years of age, and that said Gilchrist was something older than deponent's father.
2 d . Thomas Craig, testifies that he is a resident of said County of Adams, and about 89 years of age, that he was well acquainted with James Gilchrist, who at one time

resided in said County of Adams, that said Gilchrist had the reputation of having been a lieutenant in the revolutionary war, that he had frequently heard him speak of his services in said war, that he had frequently heard a man by the name of James Gandy, and another by the name of John Blair, both of whom had served as substitutes for other men, in the same war, speak of said Gilchrist, their own services as well as the services of said Gilchrist in said war, and say that said Gilchrist was a very valiant man and a good officer, that shortly before the war of 1812 said Gilchrist removed from Adams to Northumberland County, Penn a , that Elizabeth Gilchrist, the applicant, was his wife, and that he never heard it disputed that said Gilchrist had served in said war.
3 d James Kerr, of Chambersburg, Penn a , aged 83 years, testifies that he was well acquainted, with James Gilchrist, the husband of the applicant, that said Gilchrist was married about 1803, to said applicant, that he resided in Adams County, Penn a until 1810 or 1812 when he removed to Northumberland County, Penn a , that deponent had frequently dined or traveled in company with said Gilchrist and his brother-in-law William Richardson, (who was also a soldier in the revolutionary war) and heard them speak of their services in said war, that deponent's father was a lieutenant in said war, and frequently heard his father, said Gilchrist, and said Richardson, conversing together about their services in the said war, that said Gilchrist served as a lieutenant in said war.

Assuming that this testimony is true, and until it is contradicted, it must be so held, it sustains corroborates and sustains Mrs Gilchrist in every material fact which she states, and so strengthens her sworn statements, that it must be conceded that it establishes beyond all doubt, that what she states must be believed, and that she is the widow of James Gilchrist, who served as a lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line of the Army of the revolution, and as the records of that Army, both at Harrisburg and Washington, show that there was but one James Gilchrist who served in said 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, as a lieutenant , it establishes also, beyond all reasonable doubt, that the husband of this applicant was the lieutenant who so served, and whose name appears on said records.
We think we might safely rest this case on the testimony above given, but as it is alleged that there is other evidence, beside the mere declaration of Robert Gilchrist, among the records at Harrisburg, that lieutenant James Gilchrist was dead before 1789, we must examine on what evidence said allegation is based.
A copy of an account settled in the proper department at Harrisburg with the Estate of Ensign James Gilchrist, up to the 1 st of January 1783, is produced, and it is very properly said that he was dead at that time or no account would be settled with his estate

We say, however, that this is not only not evidence against us, but as will be shown hereafter, in our favor.
It is not evidence against us, because it was settled with Ensign Gilchrist, and until it can be shown that Ensign and Lieutenant mean the same thing, it certainly shows that Ensign Gilchrist and Lieutenant Gilchrist were different men, and held different positions in the Army.
It may be said that sometimes an Ensign was called Lieutenant, and this may be true that he was, among those who did not understand the difference in the grade of military officers and titles. But we deny that among military men, or on the records of the Army, an Ensign is styled a Lieutenant, and as the only evidence on which this assertion could be predicated, is record evidence, it is not sustained.
But we say, that if it be true that an Ensign was sometimes called Lieutenant, among those ignorant of the difference, it very much strengthens the position taken by us, that an Ensign as we have proved by the testimony of James Kerr, that Lieutenant James Gilchrist never had a son Robert, but that Ensign James Gilchrist had a son by that name, and that as Robert may have often heard his father called Lieutenant, he may have honestly stated in his declaration on which he received the land.

mentioned that he was the son of Lieutenant James Gilchrist, and thus innocently perpetrated a fraud on the government.
But further in reply to this assertion we produce as establish conclusively that Ensign Gilchrist and Lieutenant Gilchrist were different men.
By the copy of the account settled with the estate of Ensign James Gilchrist, before referred to, it will appear that he was dead as early as at least as the first of January 1783.
By a copy of another record from Hanover, filed in this case, it will be seen that Lieutenant James Gilchrist received his commutation, in his own name , of five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life, on the 28 th day of August 1784, in certificates bearing date the first of July 1784, months after Ensign Gilchrist was dead.
Again, the society of the Cincinnati had its origin in May 1784, the Pennsylvania portion of it, of which Lieutenant Gilchrist was a member, in December 1784, at least a year subsequent to the death of Ensign Gilchrist.
Again the records show that Lieutenant Gilchrist returned from the service on the first of January 1783 and of course he was then living and Ensign Gilchrist is proved to have been then dead.

Again, We produced a copy of a survey of from the Office at Harrisburg, in favor of Lieutenant James Gilchrist for 200 acres of land as late as least as 1785, and as then, if rightly understood as late as 1787. He must then have been in full life.
Again, the amount received by Lieutenant Gilchrist for Commutation is a larger sum than an Ensign could have received, and shows also that the Ensign and Lieutenant were not the same person.
But further. If Ensign Gilchrist died a natural death prior to the first of January 1788, as the account settled with his estate at Harrisburg, shows he did, he was not entitled to Commutation, and this proves that the Ensign and Lieutenant were not the same person.

After a careful examination of all the evidence in this case, as well that in favor of as that against the claim of the Applicant it seems to me that the same is clear of all reasonable doubt and that the Applicant is entitled to receive what she has claimed.
Her own statement, if believed, proves her to be the widow of James Gilchrist, who served as a lieutenant in the 5 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line of the Army of the Revolution.
Her character for truth and veracity is certified to by highly respectable gentlemen, and every material fact in her sworn statement is corroborated and sustained by three respectable and intelligent witnesses, whose testimony has not and cannot be assailed.
The records produced show that there was a James Gilchrist who served as a lieutenant in the Regiment of which Mrs. Gilchrist swears her husband was a lieutenant, and that there was one only of that name who served as a lieutenant in said Regiment.
The records from Hampshire prove that Ensign Gilchrist died before the 1 st of January 1783 and that lieutenant James Gilchrist was in full life as late as 1787, at least.

In opposition to all this testimony, there is but a single fact on which an argument can be predicated against the Applicant, and that is the entry on the Books that Robert Gilchrist received land as the son of Lieutenant James Gilchrist, and in explanation of this we have shown the sufficient facts, it seems to us, to prove clearly, that he either received said land by intentional fraud, or innocent misrepresentation, because we produced the testimony of a highly respectable witness, who swears positively that Lieutenant James Gilchrist had no son Robert, but that Ensign Gilchrist had a son by that name.
We have no complaints to make of the manner in which this claim has been scrutinized. It is admitted to be proper and right, but we still think that when an aged and infirm woman, whose husband, in the hour of his Country's need, and his Country's peril, volunteered his services to and risked his health and life to defend its honor and achieve its independence, makes application for the pittance which the law allows her, to cheer and comfort her in declining years, no presumptions, at least none which does not legitimately arise from some established fact, should be made against her.
Wilson Reilly atty for the applicant

Ex. aw  Div. Rev. War Section
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 18 , 1924
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
First name of widow Elizabeth No. of claim,  Snyder Gilchrist
Name of soldier, James Gilchrist
P. O. address of claimant, soldier at enlistment & after service Company Greensburg, Pa.
Regiment _____
✓ State where enlisted Penna
Date of birth  enlistment
Date of death  discharge
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
_____ _____
Return attached letter with reply.
Washington Gardner Commissioner.

Elizabeth Gilchrist, widow of James — Westmoreland Co Penn a
Admitted, Oct r Feby 3, 1853, at rate of $320 per annum commencing at date of said act.
Service List of Infantry two years
Certificate to A. Longwell Esq. (of Gettysburg, Penn a )
Present

1858. Washington, Dec. 9,
Sir,
Enclosed, I transmit the application of Mar- tha Bowling for a Pension.
Please give the case as early considera- tion as practicable and communicate the result to me,
Very Respectfully W. Abt. Servt.
To
The Comm.
of Pensions,
Washington.
James Hughes,

Philadelphia
Sept 1 st AD 1859
Re. G. W. C. Henry Esq.
On return to city after absence of some time I find your July 23.
I regret I cannot give you the information desired. A Lieut. James Gilchrist was an Original member but the date of his death not known. There has not been as yet a Successor. Had he been suc- ceeded in regular course it might have been in my power. I remain Very Resp.
A. L. Sprout

Blomfield Ind July 23 d 1889
Com. of Pensions
Yours Sir enclosed please find an additional Affidavit in case of the application of Mrs Bowling for pension.
I want the claim allow as soon as you have sufficient evidence to warrant it
The applicant is old and ignorant but I think strictly honest
If the evidence is not with this sufficient please write and let me know on what other points you desire proof and I will see if I can make it
Yours &c W MacK atty

Philada Bank
April 21. 1859.
McLongwell Esq Dear Sir.
Your favor of the 5th inst came safe to hand but owing the severe illness of my father it has been impossible to answer until this time. In reference to the matter you speak of. I find that Lieut James Gilchrist was one of the original members of the Penn a Society of the Cincinnati but I have been unable to gain any information as reference to his decease (that is the time) his eldest son is entitled to membership by making the proper application in writing to the society at their meeting on the 4th of July next. provided he can bring good evidence that he is entitled to membership in the right of his father — I would advise you to address a line to Harris L. Sproat Esq the Secretary of the Society and he will give you more information probably than I can. With respect
I remain
Yrs Truly
James Glentworth Esq H. Glentworth

Senate Chamber
March 8 th 1859
Dear Sir.
I present the case of Mrs E Gilchrist and respectfully solicit the favor of a special examination. Judge Carpenter & others to the evidence in this case, are known to me and I can testify to their high standing in the community. I have full confidence in the truthfulnes of these papers
With much respect I remain
Wm B. St Wm Rigler
Hon G. C. Melick } Con President }

427 N. Walnut Ave. Greensburg, Pa., Dec. 6, 1923.
Pension Dept. Washington D.C.
Sir:
I desire to become a member of the D.A.R. I am eligible to membership through my grandfather James Gilchrist. probably spelled Gilchriest in

the records. if there be any record of him on file. I will greatly appreciate any information you may be able to give me, or inform me how I may trace any information leading up to such a result.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Respectfully Yours
Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert Bortz

Mr. Howard Bortz 427 N. Walnut Ave. Greensburg, Pa.

There is some mix up about two men for see Penn. Archives 5" series, Vol. 31 which on page 70 gives James Gilchrist 5 th Pa Ensign promoted to Lieut and died Mar 1791 in Dauphin Co. Penn. whereas on page 96 of said volume James Gilchrist Ensign of 5" Regt is marked dead -
Ad. May 21. Rev. War Section
I leave this in claim